Don't count me out yet

I know I'm a bad blogger. I am a bad lot of things lately. I feel like my life has been nuts since coming back to work in September. That and the loss of my camera compound to make blogging a no go.

I have my brother - in - law living at my house. He is 21 and was in need of a job. He is there for a yet to be determined length of time. (I pray he is gone by June .... more later). He is a respectful guy but he is 21 and seems to have blinders on to anything that doesn't directly impact his existence and his video game play. He is looking for somewhere else to live but nothing yet. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

He is one of two house guests I have had. The other brother-in-law was here too. He was doing a course at school and our house is closer than going home everyday. Plus the snow here has been making driving not so great where he is from. He went home Wednesday. One down, one to go.

I hope that Brother - in - law #2 is gone by the summer just in time to welcome a new member into our house. I am 14 weeks pregnant and very excited but would really like it to be just my husband and I home to learn how to be parents together.

I think I know where my camera might be and so I hope to have knitting pictures very soon.

craziness

I knew it had been a while since I posted but I didn't realise just how long it had been.

I have every intention of getting back into a routine.

Going back to school this year has been very overwhelming. I'm not entirely sure why. We did have a big reorganization at school after the first 3 weeks and my class was changed almost entirely. I have been so busy with work (at school and bringing work home) that knitting has fallen a bit by the wayside.

Now I have to find a different way to balance my life. Particularly my work life.

I will post some knitting content soon (when I find my camera).

Presents

My mother in law just came back from her trip to England and Wales to visit her mother and other family. She came back with many beautiful pictures that tempt me to move to Wales. She also brought back many gifts I don't have pictures of everything because the camera battery died.

She brought my husband West Brom Albion tie, jersey and other footie paraphernalia.
We are well stocked with Twiglets, Chocolate buttons, and Curly Wurly bars. She also brought us a Welsh Love Spoon and a necklace for me.

This is the bag that she brought for me. Unfortunately my camera seems to take blurry pictures more often than it is taking clear ones. I might have to ask for a new camera for Christmas.



This is the sideways picture of Austin Hoodie. I'm at the ribbing section after the woven section on the back of the sweater. (Again I don't understand why sometimes blogger seems to turn my pictures sideways- I assure you that the picture is the correct direction on my computer).



I made a lot of progress last night when I couldn't sleep. I was knitting until 2:30. I am really going to have to get my sleep issues under control before I get back to work in a few weeks. I go to bed in good time each night as usual when hubby does. I don't sleep too late each morning. But it seems that I have one good night of sleep followed by a horrible night of broken sleep.

I know I will sleep tonight because I am trying to not fall asleep now.

New things

One of my goals this summer was to finished as many unfinished projects as I can so that I could jump into this Autumn with a clean slate ready for new fall projects. So far my plan has not worked out that way as I finished Girasole I cast on for two more projects. Abalone and Austin Hoodie.

I have not done much on Abalone which would be the much faster knit because to be honest I'm scared. I'm toying with fate on this one. I have adjusted the small size for my bust but....even if I were a small size the amount of Sweet Georgia Worsted I have for this project might not make it. All the reason in my head tells me that there is no way I can make this project with the amount of yarn that I have, so why I'm I not listening to reason? In my marriage I'm always the one rationalizing and reasoning through things so why when it comes to this yarn am I determined that it will be some kind of sweater against all my better judgement?

I have been working like crazy on Austin hoodie. Not much to see at this point except 7 inches of stockinette. Austin does have a hemmed edge which I always thinks makes for a nice looking sweater. This is a slightly smaller hem than I'm used to doing and I thought about making it longer but decided to trust in the pattern. There is also a garter stitch border on both edges.

The yarn is beautiful. It is Dye Hard Fibre Arts and it is so soft and drapes nicely. I can't wait to keep at it.

And other new things in this house are the new couch.

Our old couch was slobbered on and the frame would dig into you when you sat on it. The cushion covers wouldn't come off to wash so I was always trying to wipe it off but the dog drool never seemed to come off. The new couch is very comfy and yes I can flip cushions around and wash the covers and all that jazz. However as you can see in the picture, Oscar is not all that impressed because he has not been allowed on the new couch. He is sticking with his chair or the floor and giving us the eye. I am missing our cuddle time so I don't know how long it will last before I give in an call him up with me.

Just when you think it is never going to end

It does!!! No.. not the weeds in my yard...but this



Girasole if finished. I loved almost every minute of knitting it. I got a little tired when I was knitting the border but even then the pay off was worth it. That picture makes it look even bigger than it really is but I had to push furniture out of the way in my office for it to be able to spread out on the floor.





Pattern: Girasole by Jared Flood
Yarn: Tanis Fibre Arts Green Label in Olive


This is my baby looking very sad that he couldn't come in the office because Girasole was spread on the floor and I didn't want him to step on a pin by mistake.

Weeds in my grass

There are too many weeds out there in the grass for me to handle. Every time I'm outside with Oscar I pull up more weeds. Just when you think you are making some progress, this is what you see outside...

I don't know if you can see very well in the picture but all those little spots are white fluffy weed seeds from the field beside our house. It is very depressing.

The other night I couldn't sleep upstairs in my house so I went downstairs to the couch. I opened our back sliding door to let the air in and didn't realise until the morning that that screen door wasn't closed. Then yesterday when I was working in the kitchen I saw something over on my curtain rod by the back door. I went over for a closer look and this is what I saw.

I carefully took it down and put it back outside but I had never seen a praying mantis in my yard let alone in my house. And thought it was kinda neat in a creepy bug kinda way. Not long after hubby came home and the mantis was still on the deck. I showed him and he was not impressed (bugs make him a little squeamish)

Knitting has been going well. I am almost halfway done the border of Girasole so I hope to have some finished pictures of that soon.

Lets just call it a hiatus

There is no reason for my lack of blogging (or lack of knitting). I thought that having my summer off would concentrate on getting caught up on a lot of unfinished things but instead of unfinished knitting projects I have been working on unfinished house stuff.

The cleaning and organizing that I have been neglecting for a while now. The weeding in the garden and of the lawn (never ending weeds in the lawn) I would like to say that now I can settle in but hubby wants me to touch up paint and pick paint for the front door and garage door.

Usually I'm the one leaving him a "to do" list.

Hopefully though some of my time can be spent on knitting!

It's been a while

I knew it had been a while since I posted. I didn't realize just how long. I haven't been doing much knitting so I haven't been blogging. Life gets in the way of hobbies doesn't it.

So what have I been doing? Working, working and sleeping with a little housework thrown in.

I have been crafting a little but not knitting.

I made these for two girls that I work with.


It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed making them. I already have plans for a large quilt for my mother in law and another baby quilt for my friend who is having a baby in June.

This weekend was the DKC Knitter's Frolic. I got a few fun things and...my mojo back. All I want to do is knit.

Here is my small haul. I was trying to be very reserved and not spend a lot. I was a very good girl.

This is my Van Der Rock sock yarn in Lead. I knew I had to work with this yarn again after finishing my Ivy League Vest with it.


These are my new Charteze from Turtle Purl. I wish I had bought some of the laceweight that she had with her as well. Go check it out.

The weather this weekend was perfect knitting weather. Windy, grey and cold. However I was not happy to see the snow in May!

This is what we saw on the way home!

Last night I cast on for Girasole with some Tanis Green Label. I think it was just what I needed.

I didin't realise just how long it had been since I posted. Being back at work is one thing and I haven't felt like I have been able to stop and take a breath since. I have thought about posting but never had any pictures of anything to show so I just didn't.

Today though I have a finished (almost) project.

(again my picture was turned when I uploaded it... I still don't know why it does that sometimes and not others but... )

Pattern: Ribbon Edged Cardigan by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK

I made the largest size and it took almost exactly 5 balls. I had maybe 2-3 metres left. I love that I didn't have to start the 6th ball at all. I hate when that happens.

These are my monkey socks in Tanis Blue Label Multis. So much fun! I love these colours

This weekend I have to motor along on more baby socks for some of the girls at work. I have another shower in a week for the next two preggers about to pop at work.

Time to have a coffee and sit and knit.

Back to the grind

It is always so hard after a holiday to get back in the swing of things. I have been doing a little bit of knitting on the ribbon edge cardi (sleeves don't make great pictures) and I started a pair of Monkey Socks.

But this is what I was doing during the break.

This is some Merino that I dyed ages ago and tucked away. Some of this was my most even singles yet. The second bobbin was not as even. I think I was just so into spinning again that I was tired but determined to keep going. It is plied but I didn't take a picture of that yet.

This one is some silk and wool I think (no label as it was some left overs from a class I took) There is also some green and blue in there but you can't see it here. I haven't plied this one yet.

I will post pictures when I finish but for now I'm going to get back to Ribbon Edge Cardi.

I feel like I'm back

After the knitting Olympics I seemed to have lost my knitting mojo. I didn't finish in time, I wasn't sure I was happy with how the vest was turning out so I just avoided it. I didn't knit on anything else (except a baby sock that I had to finish before I get together on Tuesday) I had little desire to knit anything at all.

Tuesday I decided I had put things off long enough. I'm on holiday right now and there is no excuse for not getting some serious knitting done and all I had left of Ivy League was to pick up around the neck. So I got out my trusty knit picks interchangeable set (cuz that is the only place I have the shorter needles and started to pick up the 200+ stitches around the neck when this happened.

The cords I have for this set are almost all loose. They don't often come unscrewed but they do come out from where the cord is attached. Well today the "loose" cord pulled free from it's join leaving my newly created stitches with nothing to support them. After a few muttered profanities I decided I could put off a new set no longer (I was planning to buy one as a birthday gift to myself in June).

This was at 7:30am and didn't think it appropriate to call Connie and say "I'm coming over right now", so I put the vest down gently, resisting the urge to throw it across the room, and did some housework instead.

When I did go by Pick up Sticks (during the hours that they are actually open) I was faced with a new dilemma. Connie has two different sets of interchangeable needles. One which she has been using for a while and one she is just trying out. Well after a long period looking at pros and cons and wondering which to get I came home with.....

So far so good. I know I have read some mixed reviews but I think you are going to get that with any interchangeable set. They all have their own little snags (haha yarn... snag... hmm it is too early for this). I did finish Ivy League and it is blocking in my craft room/office.

Today I have to make myself clean in the basement. I have been working on it for two days. Packing up some stuff for charity and some stuff to just put in the garbage. Now today I have to get that stuff out so I can keep cleaning. However, after knit night last night I feel the knitting and lounging today.

Like Oscar!

What Ivy League Vest?

I may not have finished the Olympic challenge but I finished my own next challenge which was to be ready to cut the steeks on Saturday. My husband was at work so the house is empty and if there was the need to use colourful language no one will question me.


I did decide to hand sew a reinforcement before I cut because this is my first time and I want to take all precautions possible and am I ever glad. As I was picking up around the arm holes the steek stitches inside did start to unravel in some places. Yikes. It was not relaxing at all so one arm hole got finished on Saturday night and then I had to put it down. I didn't pick it back up again until Monday.

Last night I finished the second arm hole and am now picking up for the neckband. I did however try it on last night and .... I don't think I like what I see. Mind you I was trying to be very gentle with it but....I think even after me changing a bit of the pattern at the bottom edge it is still a lot shorter than I had wanted it to be. I got nervous about adding too much when others online told me they actually had wished it was shorter. I guess this is where body type comes into play because this is not the case for me. I am feeling a little disappointed but ALMOST to the point where I want to knit another vest and make it longer. ALMOST!

When I didn't finish it for the Olympics I really stalled and now ... well I'm itching to cast on something new. I should really go back now to my pre-Olympic plan to finish a lot of projects.

So close yet so far...

I hate to admit defeat but I didn't make it. I have to be honest about it. I'm disappointed because I have been working very hard at this project and I really was very close.


I had report cards to write too which took up a lot of time I might have spent knitting so I might have made it otherwise. Next time the Olympics come, I think that should be a consideration when they decide what time of year the term should end. I mean the Olympics were in Canada people. But no excuses...

I knew I was picking something challenging. Trying things I have never done before. In that way I am proud of myself. In 17 days I almost finished this whopper of a project. I want to keep at it this way and see how long it takes me to finish. I have not knit anything today yet though so .....

Today is my anniversary. Hubby and I have made it two years. I told him that all I wanted for our anniversary was for him to make dinner. He had the day off of work so I thought it was a simple thing to ask. He said that he didn't know what to make and I told him honestly that I didn't care as long as I didn't have to cook it.

When I got home tonight Hubby had candles lit in the living room and the dining room. He had the table set (we never eat at the table), dinner was on the table and he was waiting to pour me a glass of wine. He made a lovely pasta with shrimp and the wine was really yummy. It was all I could have asked for after the day I had at work today.

Can't Blog Must Knit

And work on reports for work (those are really a priority over olympic knitting I guess).

GO CANADA GO!

Someone down the street from me had this on their front lawn today!

I'm not gonna make it... no I'm not gonna make it

That is my new theme song right now.

Progress on my Olympic knitting was flying last weekend. I did nothing but knit.

My excuse was that hubby needed to finish the back splash tiles before I could do any real housework (yes I know that the kitchen is just one room of the whole house). Now this weekend I have to make up for it.

Yesterday was bridesmaid dress shopping with my friend. We picked this one and all the girls are very happy with the choice and the colour. It meant lost knitting hours though. I couldn't very well take my knitting and my chart and knit in the back seat with two other girls. "Excuse me if I elbow you in the kidney but have a deadline".

Then the bridal party was together for a party and I was in no state to be knitting anything that took any kind of focus.

I better get back to the laundry so I can get back to the knitting.

Sleep? What's that?

I have to stop watching the Olympic coverage at night. Hubby and I do go to sleep with the TV on in our bedroom. But we have to stop turning the Olympics on in bed when we are trying to go to sleep. Hubby and I agree that we can't seem to stop watching it. He takes his glasses off and rolls over only to hear something interesting and put his glasses back on. I roll away from the T.V. to face the wall and find myself watching it in the mirror on my dresser.

I wanted to post progress of my Olympic knitting but I can't seem to find my camera. I must have left it at work today so that will have to wait.

Grandma is doing very well. She is out of I.C.U. and back on solid food. They are hoping to send her home soon.

Inch by Inch

I knew this project would take me a awhile but... we are creeping along. I am having a lot of fun working away on this. because I'm decreasing now I have to pay attention to try to get the pattern to line up so it is a reasonable challenge for me so far.

When I was working on the ribbing I was 2nd guessing the colours. I decided to make the ribbing solid and only change the contrast colour and I'm glad I did but you can't really see the colours together until you get into the pattern.

I have been reading on Ravelry about other people working on the same pattern and someone ( I forget who) suggested starting the ribbing on the smaller size needles to keep it from curling and I am wishing that I had done that. Well wishing that I had read that note before for I finished the ribbing that took me a whole day to do. I'm not going back now! I'm hoping blocking will be a good solution and not....more drastic measures.

Grandma is still in the ICU at the hospital. She will be there at least a few more days unless she has another episode which will make it longer. We aren't out of the woods yet but she is looking good and feeling positive.

Go Canada Go!!!

I am so excited about the Olympics this year. Both the Olympics in Vancouver and the Knitting Olympics. This is the first year that I have participated with the MANY others that have joined the Yarn Harlot. I am worried that I picked a project that will be too much for such a short period of time. (I am just finished the ribbing at the bottom of Ivy League this morning).

Saturday was an exhausting day for my family. My grandmother was rushed to the hospital in the wee hours of Saturday morning. The company that monitors her called my father first but my poor dad was up in North Bay for the weekend so they tried to call my mom. They called her mobile and didn't get her. My hubby and I are next on the list so at 2 am we got the call. I got in touch with my mom but didn't get much sleep after that point. I went back to bed around 3 or so and then hubby got up at 5 to go to work and I was up from then on. Called the hospital at 6:30am to find out how my grandma was and learned that she was in the I.C.U.

We were all very worried. My aunt and uncle came and my dad headed home from North Bay. In the end I saw her around 2 in the afternoon after a blood transfusion and a few scopes. She looked very small and frail but she was laughing and joking around. I hadn't seen her in the morning but I guess at that point we thought the worst. After the transfusion she turned around fast.

My grandma was the first knitter I ever knew. She wasn't the one who taught me to knit but she was knitting all the time and never for herself. The only thing she ever used to make was little outfits for premature babies and she would donate them to the hospital.

My grandma is a very strong little 90 year old woman. She gets on the bus and goes to the mall (Friday she walked around the mall for 3 hours) just to get out and about. I guess she was joking with the doctor and said "I'm not ready to go just yet".

It has been a busy week around the house this week. My hubby has been helping out neighbour finish his basement. He has almost been living at that house. Well that neighbour came back to return the favour on Tuesday and the guys did the back splash in the kitchen.

(in progress)

I didn't know if we needed to do the back splash or not? What difference will it make really? Well I found out that it makes a HUGE difference. I love it.

Any other knitting Olympians out there? I was looking at the list and there are a lot!!! I'm excited to cast on the Ivy League Vest tomorrow night!

The kitchen is still in shambles because there is no grout yet and everything from the counters is living on my kitchen table but I love the tile.

Ooh baby

At work there are a whole lot of pregnant people (7 if you need a head count --or would you have to count 14?) Anyway last year we had two girls and we threw a combined shower. I knit both of them a baby surprise jacket if you recall.

A little short notice but today it was decided that on Tuesday after work we would have a shower for two of the seven who are about to pop. Since I knit gifts for the last shower I feel like I should/would like to knit something for this shower to (and perhaps plan better for the ones that will be coming).

I don't know if either baby is a boy or a girl and I don't have time for anything fancy. I was thinking of a few booties, little newborn mittens and perhaps a bib? something FAST! I have a few patterns in mind so I better get to it.

No pictures today because the battery in my camera died but I have the back and one front side of the Ribbon Edged Cardi done.

RrrrrrrrIP

It is a shame that I had to be secretive about this but I did it!

This was the first one of 3 projects that I ripped this weekend. But this sweater/tee has been on the needles (wasting a set of needles and a few hours of work) for I think 5 or six years. Not anymore .... here it is now.

Those of you that know me know this infamous project. It was the yarn and pattern bought for me as a graduation gift from my now hubby. He was so very proud that he did it all on his own and that he talked to the lady at the store about addi turbo needles (she was impressed that he knew what they were). I didn't really love the pattern (or the yarn) but being grateful and showing my appreciation I dutifully cast on. I got the back and two sleeves finished but......that was it. To many other things to catch my eye and too many nice yarns and beautiful patterns.

Hubby always asks me about it when I start something new. "What about a certain pink sweater?" I will finish it I promise "uh huh I'm never buying you yarn again". Well I won't tell him that I ripped it out but now I have a plan in the works to make a tank top out of it for the summer. I will be working on it in secret and surprising him with it when it is finished. Shhhhhh.

Knitting Mojo

I have to say there is nothing like a few fun projects with a few good knitting friends to bring back your knitting mojo. Yesterday I spent the day at Pick Up Sticks. A 2 hour class turned into a 5 or 6 hour knit and chat time. It was so nice!

I have all these plans in my head now of things I want to do. Projects I want to finish. Projects I want to rip off the needles (ahem a certain pink tee that was a gift from hubby--and will become something else!)

I have added progress bars to the sidebar. I used to have them but when I changed the blog layout they were of course lost in the abyss. They do not reflect my REAL number of unfinished projects but I think it will keep me honest about the bin stashed in the closet. I will finish one of those projects and then add a new one from the bin until I at least feel most of the way caught up.

As far as finished projects go here is my dipped infinity hat and scarf! Ignore me in the picture. My hubby was laughing that I took a picture of myself and says I look very uncomfortable and I told him he wasn't here to help me.



The hat is a little short but I knit until I could knit no more (as in no more yarn)



I do have a little bit left over that Connie found kickin' around a the store and once I untangle it I want to add about an inch to the bottom edge so it covers my ears better.

Last night I went to the movies with hubby. We had a pass given to us for Christmas that included popcorn and everything. I was excited to go out of the house to watch a movie. There aren't too many movies that I think "I have to see that in the theatre" I am usually quite content to wait and rent it and curl up on my couch. Last night I was reminded of why I like to stay home.

1. No teenage kids that are determined to prove to everyone how cool they are and how little they care about what people think of them so they talk and swear and giggle and shout across to people they recognize across the theatre. Then at the end of the movie walk out talking about how people sitting in front of them were so loud it was really annoying knowing full well they were sitting in front of me and they were the annoying ones.

2. No lady a few seats down from me who's cell phone is ringing and who actually ANSWERS IT! I understand that sometimes people forget to turn the ringer off or something but if my phone ever rang in a movie theatre I would be embarrassed and turn it off a.s.a.p. Not this one though. She answers her phone. "Hello? I'm in the movie theatre" SO GET OFF YOUR PHONE!

3. My couch. My PJs. My knitting. I think those seats are more uncomfortable than ever.

4. Popcorn and drinks that were too expensive at $12 are now $21 (plus 72 cents for butter). This one I just don't understand. Fountain pop and Popcorn! How does it cost that much?

I think all of those might actually be summed up with number 5.

5. You only watch the movie with people you WANT to be with and not the people that drive you crazy.

So now that this short story has gotten a little longer than planned I will bring it back to my point. I think I have decided that going out to the movies is not a relaxing way to spend my evening and I will wait until I can rent it.

Bad moods are contagious

This morning when I left for work I was a little later than I like to be. Don't read that to mean that I was late because I had lots of time to get to work but I like to be there early.

Anyway I came to one of the busy streets I take. It was 2 lanes and another lane merging on. I was coming straight through a light in the left lane and a person coming on the merging lane decided the person in the right lane was going to slow. So she pulled directly across into the lane that I was in. Cutting over the 2 lanes and just missing the front end of my truck. I gave her the horn and wished I could have given her a piece of my mind. We got to the light up the road a little and I could see that she had a bumper sticker on the back of her car so I moved close enough to read it. This is what it said...

"Happy people are hiding something"

So is she trying to infect me with her bad attitude by being rude?

P.S. sorry if I am passing on the negativity but I wanted to let it out!

You know you love a pattern when...

I know for sure that I must really like the pattern for Dipped Infinity because I spent a good portion of the Vikings game (yuck) knitting the hat to match the scarf. And after lunch today it looked like this.

But without hesitation or procrastination....Here we go again.

I was running out of yarn a little too quickly (I knew it was a little close) so I decided to use more of the darker colours and I had to pull back almost 4 inches.

But the scarf is blocking upstairs waiting for me to wear it.

It must be love I tell ya!

Weakness continues

I have been neglecting my husband and neglecting my house work because I can't seem to stop myself. I'm am hooked on Dipped Infinity.

I love everything about this pattern. I am hoping I have enough yarn to make a hat a to match it but I'm not getting my hopes up.

I also have some Tanis Yellow Label upstairs (ok a lot) in purples and I might try to do this. I think it is so gorgeous (hubby disagrees but what does he know) we shall how things go because my WIP list is in the 20s now.

1 out of 2 ain't bad

Ok just call me weak! I was so good all weekend about not casting on Dipped Infinity (you can already guess where this is going) The weekend was when I was alone without a husband to say "what are you knitting now?"..."what about the baby sweater?" I could have hidden my shame and only knit on dipped infinity when he was not around/at work etc. but no!

I resisted all weekend, I resisted last night while I was at Pick up Sticks for knit night (at this point I knew I was bored of my little cardi) but last night after having a few long days at work, a hot bath and a glass of wine I thought what better way to relax before bed than to have that satisfying feeling of something new.

Ah... that's better!

Now the only problem is that I'm preoccupied with it. Such a simple and interesting pattern. Last night before bed I had only cast on and knit the first row. So I took it to bed and thought I will only knit one more round....one round of over 200 stitches .

I'm being good....(so far)

I am resisting temptation so far. But I'm always looking....thinking about just testing my gauge....thinking etc. But I have finished my plain black hat.

Not a great picture (of me, of the hat, lighting) but you get the idea.

I am hoping that it isn't too big for the person who will have this hat. It fits me but it looks big when it it not on because it is slouchy fabric. I'm worried that I will be knitting this again. We shall see.

So one down and one left before I can cast on Dipped Infinity....Sigh.

(And here is Oscar watching T.V. with me yesterday. One of his favourite shows - The Dog Whisperer)